Archarkey

Archarkey is architectural research process of two different mind in different places and different times.

[archarkey-blog]

Villa Verde Housing by ELEMENTAL

B.

     From the architect. Arauco is a forestry company that called us in 2009 to develop a plan to support their workers in the process to have access to their definitive house. We were asked to develop a set of typologies within the current housing policy for Fondo Solidario de Vivienda I (FSV I, units up to 600 UF or US$25,000 without debt) and for FSV II (units up to 1,000 UF or US$40,000 with a bank loan). These designs would be a contribution of the company to their workers, a kind of subvention, so that housing committees could use them when applying for the regular system of public funds.      The importance of this project is that on the one hand, for the first time, it allowed us to think about a design for the upper niche of the housing policy. If we developed an innovative and competitive typology, we would broaden our possible contribution to social housing. We could have taken one of our own more economic typologies and used the extra money to finish them, filling the void that families were expected to complete. But we thought of once again applying the principle of incremental construction and prioritization of the more complex components, this time with higher standards both for the initial and the final scenario.

    Again we are with the one of the Alejandro Aravena's team Elemental's social housing project. The negative thing is (according to picture) the project is very weak according to urban scale and the relations between house blocks is questionable. As a first sight, the project has lack of green spaces and coordination in urban scale. It reminds the typical modernist housing projects  according to urban scale.

     In other hand, considering the affordability and potential of the units are promising.It is good to see people who is trying to figure out a reasonable solutions for people in needs.

[archarkey-blog]

Lego Apartment by Barbara Appolloni Arquitecta

L.

Then we have this kind of houses where every inch is used. It can be extremist but spaces sometimes are a big deal. Here the walls have more functions than just being walls, everything in an "lego" way. 

Souce: http://barbaraappolloni.com/lego-apartment/

[archarkey-blog]

L.

Here we have two videos which share the same philosophy.

Architecture has the power to change many things in society and make it better.

[archatlas]

[thekhooll-deactivated20210705]

Plug-In City Alain Bublex

"Alain Bublex’s explorations of contemporary urban reality are inspired by late 20th century visionary utopian architecture. Plug-In City, conceived in 1964 by the iconoclastic British architect and urban planner Peter Cook and the avant-garde group Archigram, was as provocative as it was unbuildable. However, Bublex sees the now ever-present mini-cities of prefab bungalows used on construction sites as an extension of the original Plug-In City, and from this he imagines his own evolution of urban utopian possibilities."

[archarkey-blog]

B. Changing the perception of building.

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Soe Ker Tie House by TYIN tegnestue

http://www.tyinarchitects.com/works/soe-ker-tie-house/skth-projectdescription/. 

L

Sometimes, when we talk about affordable houses, we should talk about sustainable buildings, why? they are much more cheaper if we know how . A good example is this proyect, that shows how a good architecture can be made for everyone, helping people who needs it. They use local materiales or  some that they do not use anymore and they think in rainwater collection from the roof. A simple design, a community work, creativity and a great use of the architecture, that solve some problems.

Source: http://www.tyinarchitects.com/works/soe-ker-tie-house/skth-projectdescription/

[archarkey-blog]

Innovative Window - Space Expandation

B.

Designed for skylight windows on a pitched roof, the system works by installing two upward- and downward-opening windows instead of just a single skylight. The bottom window sash opens forward, creating a sturdy vertical wall for the balcony. The built-in slide rails move forward, creating a gated guard for either side of the balcony. The top window then opens upward at a 45-degree angle, creating enough head room for a person to step out onto the new balcony space. One set of windows creates a breezy outlook for one, but paired  with another set, the matching balconies are perfect for outdoor dining for two, or a place to unwind after work and breathe in fresh air of the outdoors.

     While considering affordability, land use is probably the most critical issue and efficient use of spaces is main issue of affordable housing. Therefore,  innovative designs in both micro and macro scales are urgent.  

     In this product, maybe its not making any changes as volumes but definitely it will increase the quality of living. So the balance between financially affordable and life quality is main issue and products like this can make a contribution to design.

http://inhabitat.com/fakros-innovative-windows-transform-into-an-airy-rooftop-balcony/fakro-balcony-window4/?extend=1

[archarkey-blog]

Quinta Monroy / ELEMENTAL

L.

"In the end, when the given money is enough for just half of the house, the key question is, which half do we do. We choose to make the half that a family individually will never be able to achieve on its own, no matter how much money, energy or time they spend. That is how we expect to contribute using architectural tools, to non-architectural questions, in this case, how to overcome poverty" 

Here we have a great example of how social housing wants to work in a good way (and it success). Modular structure, lateral thinking, cross-ventilation, opportunity to expand "a gusto e piacere" and many other things that helps to raise with not so much money, a decent house. 

Source: http://www.archdaily.com/10775/quinta-monroy-elemental/

[archarkey-blog]

La Brea Affordable Housing / Patrick Tighe + John V. Mutlow

B.

The La Brea Affordable Housing project is a mixed use affordable housing project for formerly homeless LGBT youth, people living with disabilities and people living with HIV Aids. The 50,000 sq ft building is located one block north of Santa Monica Boulevard in the City of West Hollywood. The building maximizes density while allowing for ample outdoor space. 32 apartments are arranged around a shared exterior courtyard.

Although it named as affordable housing it seems like it is working as non-profit social service and according to explanations the building hosts tenants with disabilities.

As a first impression it will be fair to say that interior courtyard and double facade will easier the technical requirements of the building which helps to reduce costs. although the facade includes elements that only provide visual aesthetic, function of the building is mixed-use so they can be tought as reasonable.

source: http://www.archdaily.com/557785/la-brea-affordable-housing-patrick-tighe-john-v-mutlow/

[archarkey-blog]

Kickstart

The first interest will be about affordable architecture and this research process is going to focus on affordable housing.

the process will occur like;

examples

analysis

catagorization

creation

but everything can be changed in case it is necessary